I have of recent days been ‘repairing’ some damage that I inflicted upon my photo library.
Now before we all spring to ‘backups’ and backup strategy, and ‘don’t leave home without it’, the backup actually eventually became part of the problem as it literally was a copy of the error in thinking I’d made some weeks earlier.
However all was not lost, as I had an off-site copy of the original files, so it was simply a matter of reclaiming them. But then the work of getting them back into order, curated, and settled became the marathon journey.
Of course the good side of that was I have been forced to revisit the photos of 2019 and 2020, and relive some of the outings we had enjoyed in what seems post lockdown, so, so long ago.
Those that follow along on Flickr will have seen some of those being posted more regularly as they emerge from their cocoon on the master drive(s)
None more so than the time we spent with Cassia, of Cinnamon and her two young. So instead of a disaster, it has turned into a rather pleasing journey.
Sitting with a very relaxed Brown Falcon, reminded me of some words from Henry Thoreau.
The old naturalists were so sensitive and sympathetic to nature that they were not surprised by the ordinary events of life. It was an incessant miracle to them, and therefore gorgeous gorgons and flying dragons were not incredible to them. The greatest and saddest defect is not incredulity, but our habitual forgetfulness that our science is ignorance.
March 8, 1860 Journal Entry.
One of the amazing things with this bird was her lack of concern about my presence.
I could sit by one of the trees or perches she regularly used, and just wait until her arrival. I am convinced they know where they are going to land before they leave the perch, and will follow a course that takes them to that spot. (Not necessarily directly). I can’t recall her shying away because I was near the landing spot. So much so, that it was no longer incredible to me, more an endless miracle.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Always good to revisit ‘old’ files and outings. And good that you have the off site copies. I lost two months of 2016 because I neglected (for some reason – I can only put it down to brain fade) to have the back up copies elsewhere.
Your time and involvement with Cassia is indeed a beautiful miracle. A rare privilege to have a bird invite you into their world like this!
Wonderful to see this great image!
We need to remind ourselves to observe the world around us with child-like amazement rather than the cynicism of age.
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Yes, I don’t think the majority of losses I’ve encounterd have been the fault of the hardware, mostly some slip of the mind, or a stalling of a backup in progress, or in this case as I changed from one library program to another and then back again. Now that should have been a red-light and klaxon, but if they went off I missed it. 🙂
Mostly repairable, but the nagging is that something have gone and I can’t recall if that is true or not.
I once was challenged by someone that I should ‘grow up’, but I think its much more fun, like Peter Pan, to be engaged with the awesome around us.
(PS, and said helpful person went on some years later to do the most ordinary things to friends and family, so I’m delighted i missed his challenge)
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Always a delight David to review our previous outings. I never cease to be amazed years late at the remarkable captures, and the opportunities and blessings afforded me on the day. It is a wonderful privilege to work with a bird and know that it knows you are there but trusts you. I find this the greatest honour, even here in my back yard. Your Brown Falcon project, similar to the others, have always resulted in remarkable captures, and I never cease to be in wonder and delight when I see your work. The weather has been unfavourable here this week with all the rain and wind, but hoping it improves soon.
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Thank you Ashley, glad you enjoy, its a pleasure to be able to share such simple joys
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It is such an honour and privilege to be trusted by a wild creature, isn’t it. It’s good you were able to recover from the damage, and had the bonus of enjoying revisiting past encounters. A beautiful image of Cassia.
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I’m occasionally asked “Oh how long did it take you to make that picture”, I sometimes respond 1/2000th of a second with a grin.
Or 20 years, but whose counting.
That we were going to be out anyway is part of it, that the bird is unphased by our presence just makes it all that more delightful
It has to be said, that we work very hard not to venture too far into their comfort zone, but it is quite a thrill when the bird voluntarily crosses that line feeling comfortable.
Now if only I could get that to happen with Swamp Harriers. 🙂
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